August 2017

Minister's Update - August 2017

Minister's Update - August 2017
This is a good time of year to consider opportunities for governance roles. The Office of Ethnic Communities has a nominations service seeking to increase ethnic representation in leadership and governance positions.
Image of Hon Judith Collins - Minister for Ethnic Communities
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/ministers-updates/2017-08-30/ministers-update-august-2017
Published: Thursday 31 August 2017

Welcoming Communities

Image of people eating outside a Marae

Welcoming Communities / Te Waharoa ki ngā Hapori is a new two-year programme that brings together local government and community leaders to make the places we love more welcoming for everyone.

This is an invitation to help shape this new initiative by providing feedback on the draft Welcoming Communities Standard by Friday 22 September 2017. This is the standard against which local councils will be assessed in order to be accredited as a ‘Welcoming Community’.

Published: Thursday 31 August 2017

In My Own Words: Rob Dewhirst

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Rob Dewhirst is a New Zealand born engineer based in Christchurch. He is a convert to Islam and the Chairperson of the Canterbury Muslim Community Trust.

Rob kindly took time out for a quick question and answer session with the Office of Ethnic Communities while he was in Christchurch last week. This was despite being busy with international development contracts in East Timor, his work as Chairperson for the Canterbury Muslim Community Trust and preparations to go on the Hajj. The Hajj is the pilgrimage to the Grand Mosque in Mecca, Islam’s most sacred space, and is one of the five essential pillars of Islam – meaning that all Muslims should perform Hajj at least once in their lives.

Published: Thursday 31 August 2017

Get ready for the 2017 General Election

Image of a ballot box

Voting and democracy are very important in New Zealand because they provide you with the opportunity to voice your opinion and vote for what you believe in. It is important that you have your say by voting in the upcoming General Election. Every vote counts.

In 1893 New Zealand became the first self-governing country in the world to allow all women the right to vote in parliamentary elections. It doesn’t matter who you are or what you do, your vote counts just as much as everyone else’s.

Published: Thursday 31 August 2017

Director's Update - August 2017

The General Election is just around the corner on Saturday 23 September. The Office of Ethnic Communities encourages all eligible voters from our communities to participate in this important exercise of democracy in New Zealand.

Published: Thursday 31 August 2017

Director's Update - August 2017

The General Election is just around the corner on Saturday 23 September. The Office of Ethnic Communities encourages all eligible voters from our communities to participate in this important exercise of democracy in New Zealand.

Published: Thursday 31 August 2017

Director's Update - August 2017

Director's Update - August 2017
The General Election is just around the corner on Saturday 23 September. The Office of Ethnic Communities encourages all eligible voters from our communities to participate in this important exercise of democracy in New Zealand.
Image of Wen Powles - Director the Office of Ethnic Communities
Find out more
directors-updates/2017-08-31/directors-update-august-2017
Published: Thursday 31 August 2017

Get ready for the 2017 General Election

Get ready for the 2017 General Election
Voting and democracy are very important in New Zealand because they provide you with the opportunity to voice your opinion and vote for what you believe in. It is important that you have your say by voting in the upcoming General Election. Every vote counts.
Image of General Election Ballot Box
Find out more
story/get-ready-2017-general-election
Published: Thursday 31 August 2017

In Remembrance of Wenceslaus Anthony

In Remembrance of Wenceslaus Anthony
The Office of Ethnic Communities was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Mr Wenceslaus Anthony on 23 July in Chennai, India, aged 59.
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story/remembrance-wenceslaus-anthony
Published: Thursday 31 August 2017

Losing momentum school leavers Asia engagement

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The Asia New Zealand Foundation has released a report, Losing Momentum – School Leavers’ Asia Engagement, which looks at New Zealand school leavers’ readiness for engaging with Asia. The report outlines the results of a survey of more than 1,000 senior school students and their level of Asia awareness. The questions asked were about cultural competencies and knowledge of Asia, and the perceived importance of Asia to New Zealand.

The key findings compared an earlier baseline survey conducted in 2012 and found that:

Published: Wednesday 30 August 2017